Sperry Rail Service

Sperry Rail Service is a rail inspection company founded in 1928 by Elmer Ambrose Sperry. The company was the first in the world to offer nondestructive testing of railroad track. Since its formation, Sperry has been contracted by most of the major railroads in North America to inspect rail. To accomplish this task, the company operates a fleet of rail service vehicles that travel along railroads to detect defects. While most prominent in North America, Sperry operates on every continent. History Defect detection need There were many early useless efforts of rail defect detecting device development in the late 19th century. Serious train derailments, which were blamed on transverse fissures, were increasing. One of them occurred in 1911, in Manchester, New York, killing 29 and seriously injuring 60. Another killed 21 and injured over 100 near Victoria, Mississippi, in October 1925. The need for dependable rail inspection became apparent.